meiping

meiping, type of Chinese pottery vase inspired by the shape of a young female body. The meiping was often a tall celadon vase made to resemble human characteristics, especially a small mouth, a short, narrow neck, a plump bosom, and a concave belly. It was meant to hold a single branch of plum tree blossoms. The meiping was especially popular during the Song (960–1279) and Ming (1368–1644) periods. Most Ming examples are white porcelain painted in underglaze blue.